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Introducing The Caroling Connection

Great Expectations

That’s what the holiday season brings…Of warmth and happiness, friends and family, sleepy-eyed children trying to stay awake long after bedtime. The Caroling Connection helps set the mood with quartets and double quartets of costumed a cappella Christmas carolers with the highest musical standards and performance experience to welcome our audiences into not only the season, but connect with the larger Caroling Connection family.

How The Caroling Connection came about

2016 is the first year for The Caroling Connection. After performing for 22 years as a professional Christmas caroler and more, having sung with the Grant Park Symphony Chorus and many other musical opportunities from Rock to Opera and everything in-between, it was time. Time to create a group that embodies what I wanted to see and be during the holidays.

Starting with the highest standards in music and performers as the foundation, but knowing that there’s so much more to the group and the holiday season itself. The knowing wink of an eye when something seemingly impossible happens, the smile that spreads warmth and joy and just the outright excitement that is the holiday season. Friends and family, joining together in the spirit of the season. Bringing the best holiday entertainment in the Dickensian style with live music. Four or eight singers using their voices to bring cheer. Something special when you’re hoping for it and when it’s least expected.  That’s what it’s all about.

What The Caroling Connection does

The Caroling Connection is a quartet of Dickensian costumed a cappella singers who sing four-part holiday songs to provide an almost magical experience to our audience, helping to make holiday memories that last a lifetime. We’re trained musicians of the highest quality with experience to match that add that little something extra when you hear and see us sing. Some of the ways to use us are:

  • Caroling at your front door to welcome your guests
  • Strolling
    • Table to table at banquets or company dinners
    • Through a Reception or Cocktail hour
    • From store to store while your patrons are shopping
    • Throughout your company holiday party
  • Perform a set on a stage for events or meetings
  • Sing for your family holiday get togetherfor that special something extra
  • That surprise that no one is expecting
  • …And more

Our goal

Our goal is to create the atmosphere of warmth, joy and wonder that is a part of the holidays for your special event, party or business that will make a memory for everyone involved.

A Bit of Fancy

From time to time, we’ll post something from behind the scenes at The Caroling Connection, maybe a bit of fun or perhaps a new arrangement of a favorite carol, like this arrangement of Deck the Halls. This was done by our Head Voice, Jim Goodrich and the video features him singing all four parts. Of course, that won’t be the case when the Caroling connection sings it live, but like we said a bit of fun and behind the scenes all at once. Enjoy!

You can find out more about us by visiting The Caroling Connection’s website or using our Contact form.

Lake FX Summit & Expo Registration Opens

This in directly from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE):

Lake FX & Summit Chicago 2015

Lake FX Summit + Expo
April 16-19

 

Pre-registration is now open
Full schedule is available 

The Lake FX Summit + Expo presented by Google is the region’s largest FREE conference for artists, creative professionals and entrepreneurs in the areas of film, music, fashion, culinary and the visual & performing arts. The inaugural four-day event, running April 16-19, will host keynotes, panels, professional development workshops and interactive labs featuring leading artists and industry innovators at the Chicago Cultural Center, the Virgin Hotels Chicago, the Gene Siskel Film Center, the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago and Macy’s on State Street.

Pre-registration for the summit is encouraged and allows registrants access to a “Fast Pass” to some programs at the Chicago Cultural Center in the Claudia Cassidy Theater (priority seating based on availability) and special giveaways including a commemorative Lake FX Summit + Expo poster created by internationally renowned Chicago-based artist Carlos Rolón/DZINE (while supplies last). Only the Google Workshop on Friday, April 17, requires advanced registration which opens separately at 10am on Monday, March 23.

By signing up in advance you will also be entered in a chance to win reserved seating to a future DCASE produced event in Millennium Park between May-September 2015. Paid, ticketed and contracted rentals are not included in this offering.

The Lake FX “Fast Pass” will give you priority seating (first entrance based on availability) for the following programs (schedule subject to change):

Friday, April 17

  • 10:30am How to Win at YouTube
  • Noon Website Demolition Derby
  • 1:30pm Breaking Down the Walls: Art and Creative Industries and the Making of Community
  • 3pm The Improv Toolkit: Bringing Yes, And to your work

Saturday, April 18

  • 10:30am Visual Art Keynote: Carlos Rolon/DZINE
  • Noon Maker to Market
  • 1:30pm TBD
  • 3pm Film Keynote TBD

Register here and tell your friends!

 

 City of Chicago Seal and DCASE Logo

127 – Interview with Jim Donio, President of NARM

Recorded 09 March 2010

On this episode of With A Voice Like This I speak with Jim Donio, President of NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers) about the association and the upcoming Chicago Crash Course (May 14 – 15) and Convention (May 15 – 17). Jim gives us a brief history of NARM, a description of the Crash Course and Convention and tells us about the the artist’s cost for the Crash Course and 1 year membership.

For more information about NARM, visit narm.com and the registration page for the Crash Course and Convention.

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102 – I Fight Dragons. Well, not me personally…Part 2

Recorded 2 June 2009

I Fight Dragons drummer Dave Midell joins Brian Mazzaferri and Bill Prokopow for the second half of the interview in this episode of With A Voice Like This. Here are the songs off Their EP Cool is Just a Number and where they’re found in the episode:

  • The Faster the Treadmill [00:14:24]
  • With You [00:39:46]
  • Power Up (Intro) [00:49:34]

Some of the topics covered in this episode:

  • How I Fight Dragons use games and controllers
  • A quick Mention of E3 and Project Natal
  • Brian answers a question about Sophic Records
  • A ‘Rikki Lake Moment’?
  • The I Fight Dragons Advance Guard
  • A story about the song With You
  • Comments from the Podcast Gallery – questions from the live audience
  • Personal experiences with the gaining popularity and momentum of IFD
  • Plans for a full album
  • The chiptunes influence
  • Power Up (Intro) trivia

You can get a free download of the EP Cool is Just a Number by joining their mailing list at myspace.com/IFightDragons or you can write them individually with their first name at  IFightDragons.com.

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101 – I Fight Dragons. Well, not me personally…Part 1

Recorded 02 June 2009

Brian Mazzaferri and Bill Prokopow of I Fight Dragons join me in this episode of With A Voice Like This to talk about, among other things, their first EP Cool is Just a Number, available as a free download for signing up for their Mailing list. Here are the songs from the EP played in this episode and where they can be found in the show.

  • Heads Up, Hearts Down [00:05:30]
  • No One Likes Superman Anymore [00:19:10]
  • Money [00:42:03]

We talk about a wide range of topics in this half of the interview, including:

  • NES Rock
  • Oddest use of a I Fight Dragons song
  • Recent and future gigs
  • Best gig moment/worst gig moment
  • Opportunities to be in a I Fight Dragons video
  • Who’s available (Bill) and who’s not (Brian)
  • and quite a bit more

Enjoy the first half of this intervew, ther are more surprises to cone in the second half.

Other links from this show

  • I Fight Dragons on YouTube
  • Upcoming I Fight Dragons shows [update: link expired]

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098 – Oh What a Tangled Web We Use

Recorded 28 April 2009

This episode of With A Voice Like This focuses on some websites with a quick 4-AM update as well

4-AM

  • Just a quick update of what’s happening with the group (including one (Memorial Day gig that fell through just after the recording of this show)

News You Can Use
Here are some websites that you might want to take a look at and bookmark for future use:

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071 – Interview with Paul Natkin Part 2

recorded 25 September 2008

This episode is Part 2 of the interview with the Interim Executive Director of Chicago Music Commission, Paul Natkin and the the commission’s stance on the proposed Event Promoter ordinance being drafted for the City of Chicago. Topics discussed are:

  • Progress on the commission’s three points sent to the committee about the proposed ordinance in May 2008
  • 18 or 21? What’s the proposed ordinance say?
  • Licensing isn’t an issue
  • Insurance costs overly prohibitive
  • Alternate recommendations to the ordinance as it stands
  • Promoter Registry
  • Standard contract between Venues and Independent Promoters
  • Licensed/Certified Security for all Venues
  • Promoter’s Survey on the CMC website
  • Good changes made since May
  • The next Musician’s at Work Forum on October 6

Music in this episode
The music in this episode is by one of the Chicago Music Commission Board Members Rachel Barton Pine, Medley of Scots Tunes w/ Alasdair Fraser from the album Scottish Fantasies for Violin and Orchestra. You can also find Rachel Barton Pine on  MySpace. Music provided courtesy of Ariel Publicity and Cyber PR.

Check out special Podcastathon benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research fund being put on by the Geek is Chic Podcast, hosted by Andrea Zuniga.

Links from the Episode
Chicago Music Commission Website
Current Proposed Event Promoter Ordinance in PDF format
Event Promoter Survey on the CMC website [Update: Survey no longer open]

If you’d like to become a member of the Podcast Gallery, you can call and leave comments, question and thoughts on the Comments from the Podcast Gallery hotline at 630.492.0487. Come be a part of the show.

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070 – Interview with Paul Natkin Part 1

recorded 25 September 2008

This episode’s guest is Paul Natkin, the Interim Executive Director of the Chicago Music Commission, a not for profit organization representing all aspects of music in Chicago.  The focus of the interview is an explanation and update on the proposed event promoter ordinance in the City of Chicago. Topics in this episode include:

  • Background on the Chicago Music Commission
  • History of the Proposed Ordinance to May 2008
  • Breakdown of changes to the July 2007 ordinance
  • The disconnect – Two issues
  • Licensed PPA and Independent Promoters – does the one cancel the other?
  • Economic and Cultural impact
  • When the ordinance is passed

Links from the show

This interview will conclude next episode.

Questions? Comments? Thoughts? Call the Comments From the Podcast Gallery voicemail line at 630.492.0487 and let me know what you think. Also, you can subscribe to the show via iTunes and if you do, please review the show too, I’d appreciate it.

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054 – City of Chicago vs. Live Music?

This episode of With A Voice Like This focuses on the draft of the Promoter Licensing Ordinance sent back to the Licensing committee for review due to a rapid response of the Music Community. The issue isn’t resolved, just put on hold for a bit longer. The topics include:

  • Background of the E2 tragedy which lead to this proposed ordinance
  • Point by point review of the draft’s exclusionary language defining Promoter
  • The 4 classes of licenses and their costs
  • What licensure requires and includes
  • Impact on the Chicago music scene as individual musician and from an economic standpoint
  • What you can do to be heard on the issue

And Comments from the Podcast Gallery

Listener’s Choice

This episode’s Listener’s Choice comes from Podcaster Rachel Ziese-Lecy, host of the Sims2 Challenges and co-host of Girl’s Night In. Her choice is from a band named Everyday Jones and the live version of ‘Here I am’ found on podsafeaudio.com.

Links used in tonight’s show:

Background on the E2 Tragedy:

Wikipedia

Chicago Tribune

Sites about the proposed Chicago Promoter Ordinance:

Chicago Music Commission

Draft of the proposal in PDF format

Chicago Artist’s Resource

CMC’s Ordinance Opinion Survey (result to be turned into mayor Daley’s office at 5:00 Friday, May 23)

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